Genesis 1–2; Moses 2–3; Abraham 4–5: Lesson 8

Genesis 1:26–27

“God Created Man in His Own Image”

Visit “Studying the Scriptures” to help prepare yourself spiritually to learn.

What does it mean that you are created in God’s image? How might knowing this change how you see yourself? God’s creation of woman and man teaches that every person on earth is a beloved daughter or son of heavenly parents. Each of us has a divine nature and destiny. This lesson can help you feel the importance of your identity and potential as a child of heavenly parents.

Study the Scriptures

In a notebook, list any identities or titles you currently have or have had. These could include “friend,” “student,” or a calling. Ponder how these identities might influence the choices you make.

President Russell M. Nelson explained how the ways we label ourselves can affect us.

Labels can be fun and indicate your support for any number of positive things. Many labels will change for you with the passage of time. And not all labels are of equal value. But if any label replaces your most important identifiers, the results can be spiritually suffocating. (“Choices for Eternity” [worldwide devotional for young adults, May 15, 2022], Gospel Library)

Read Genesis 1:26–27 and the following statement from the second paragraph of “The Family: A Proclamation to the World.” You may want to link these references together.

All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose. (“The Family: A Proclamation to the World,” Gospel Library)

Create a note next to Genesis 1:26–27 with your response to the following questions:

• Why do you think it would be important to place your identity as a child of God above any other identity you have?

• What obstacles could make it difficult to believe or remember your identity as a child of God, created in His image?

In your note, you might also include the truth that we are sons and daughters of heavenly parents, created in their image. Many of the titles you added to your list at the beginning of this lesson may be positive or fun. But your most important identity is a “child of God.”

Genesis 1:26–27 is a doctrinal mastery passage. Consider tagging these passages with the topic they teach so you can find them later. To memorize this passage, you might write Genesis 1:26–27 with the key scripture phrase, “God created man in his own image,” on a notecard or sticky note and place it somewhere you will see it throughout the day.

Review the following study options. Complete one or more.

Option A

Where can I learn more about my divine identity?

Search phrases such as “children of God” or “divine identity” or other keywords in the Gospel Library and Topics and Questions. You might also read Galatians 4:6–7 and Hebrews 12:9.

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, then of the First Presidency, explained how knowing our identity can give us purpose.

When we sing the song “I Am a Child of God,” the lyrics penetrate our hearts. Pondering this truth—that we are children of heavenly parents—fills us with a sense of origin, purpose, and destiny. It is good to remember that you are always a child of God. This knowledge will carry you through the most difficult times in your life and will inspire you to accomplish remarkable things. (“Living the Gospel Joyful,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2014, 120–121)

Watch the video “Earthly Father, Heavenly Father” (3:59).

Record what you found meaningful and respond to the following question in your notebook.

• How can knowing your identity as a child of God affect the way you see yourself and others?

Option B

Where can I learn more about my divine potential?

Read the following scriptures about our potential to become like Heavenly Father.

• Romans 8:16–17

• 1 John 3:2

• Galatians 4:7

Elder Kevin S. Hamilton of the Seventy explained one way we can begin to become like Heavenly Father.

[The world teaches] that our circumstances define us. We should “embrace who we really are,” the world says, “and be authentic to our true selves.”

While it is indeed good to be authentic, we should be authentic to our real, true selves as sons and daughters of God with a divine nature and destiny to become like Him. (“Then Will I Make Weak Things Become Strong,” Liahona, May 2022, 50)

Watch the video “Running Toward the Light” from time code 11:00 to 15:19.

Record what you found meaningful and respond to the following question in your notebook.

• How has the knowledge of your divine identity and potential impacted your life?

Share Your Thoughts

Lesson Purpose: To help you feel the importance of your identity and potential as a child of heavenly parents.

Share one or more of the following with your teacher or class:

• What you learned about your divine identity as a child of God and how it impacts the way you feel about yourself and others.

• The thoughts and feelings you had about your divine potential to become like Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

• Something specific you did to achieve the purpose of this lesson.

• Any questions this lesson raised for you. How will you try to find answers to your questions?